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The bruising race for the City Council's only open seat didn't end with balloting Saturday — District 8 contenders Ron Nirenberg and Rolando Briones are headed into a runoff next month.

Election night also was rough on two council incumbents. Councilwoman Leticia Ozuna was ousted in District 3 by Rebecca Viagran, while District 5 Councilman David Medina was drawn into the June 15 runoff by newcomer Shirley Gonzales.

Meanwhile, voters awarded Mayor Julián Castro his third two-year term, but with a much smaller victory margin than two years ago.

Seven city representatives were easily re-elected in the low-turnout affair — fewer than 7 percent of those eligible participated. Voters also decided numerous municipal and school board races and a few bond issues.

Castro, who has ascended onto a national political platform while supporting President Barack Obama, far outdistanced his six competitors, none of whom was able to compete with his broad base and hefty campaign war chest.

Via Twitter, Castro claimed a “strong victory” within an hour of polls closing.

Speculation swirls about possible state and U.S. candidacies for Castro, but he insists he has no plans other than to serve his third mayoral term with a focus on creating jobs and improving education.

“San Antonio is on a wonderful path to prosperity,” he declared at his election watch party.

“I wake up every day, and I love what I do being mayor,” he said. “And I can promise you during these next two years, I will continue to go to work for you to fight hard to make sure this is the most prosperous city in the entire United States of America.”

Yet, even with the overwhelming win, Castro's couldn't match his 81 percent performance in 2011.

The low turnout was blamed on factors ranging from the weak field of mayoral competitors to the start of early voting coming on the heels of Fiesta week.

Nine of San Antonio council's 10 incumbents sought re-election, and the race for the lone open seat was the most lively — the bruising contest to replace District 8 Councilman Reed Williams.

Contenders Nirenberg and Briones landed in a runoff, with Nirenberg narrowly missing an outright win.

District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal, who ran unopposed, will return to the council. Easily retaining their posts in landslide fashion were council members Rey Saldaña in District 4, Councilwoman Elisa Chan in District 9 and Carlton Soules in District 10. Winning by lesser margins were incumbents Ray Lopez in District 6 and Cris Medina in District 7.

Cities in Bexar County holding elections included San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Kirby, Leon Valley, Live Oak, Olmos Park, Shavano Park, Universal City and Von Ormy. Trustee elections were held in Harlandale, Judson, Northside, San Antonio and South Side independent school districts, and bond elections were held in Judson and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City school districts.

About 35,000 people voted early, and Saturday's voting was a dismal 17,419, officials said.

Raul M. Garcia, 75, was the last voter to walk out of San Antonio's Central Library Saturday just after polls closed at 7 p.m. The site served six downtown precincts.

It had attracted 68 voters by 5:30.

“I think it's a shoo-in really, but I also think it's my privilege to vote and something every American should do,” Garcia said.

But even he conceded it was difficult to motivate himself during this election — hence the last-minute appearance. He nearly skipped out on voting for the first time in years. But then he received a get-out-the-vote call from Castro's campaign.

“I was too busy,” he said. “But then I decided, 'Well, they deserve my vote.'”